U.S. Patents Office Issues Roofing Layout Tape Utility Patent

Larksville, PA—On January 28, 2003, the U.S. Patents and Trademarks Office
issued utility patent number 6,511,741 to Ronald C. Hungarter, President of THOR Systems,
Inc., a hand tool manufacturer, for his work involving the creation of a roofing
layout tape designed
to revolutionize the steep slope roofing industry. "While appearing complicated, the roofing
layout tape is quite simple. Like learning to ride a bike, once the attempt is made, the rest is
easy. Testimonies by roofers proclaim an 18% to 36% increase in their productivity using the new
roofing tapes!", stated
Hungarter.

Spin-offs of this asphalt shingle roofing layout tape concept providing both horizontal and vertical
shingle alignments are currently being developed, with new tapes designed for
the metal roofing industry going into full production this month, according to
Hungarter. "Virtually
any application requiring both horizontal and vertical alignments and offsets can be
addressed by variations of these tapes", Hungarter explained.

"In 1995, while standing in his driveway one evening, I told William V. Leandri, President
of Luzerne National Bank, that I was going to revolutionize the shingled roofing industry with my
latest invention, a roofing layout tape", recalls Hungarter. The issuing of this patent will
continue towards making that goal of revolutionizing the roofing industry a reality.

"My additional goal will now be to bring quality jobs to Pennsylvania as this new business
develops and becomes recognized as a leader throughout the construction industry, which will make
Ben Franklin Technology Partners, an early supporter of the idea, very happy", said Hungarter.